Sernnali Hotel

Sernnali Hotel

Our rating:

At a glance, Sernnali Hotel would be considered Muang Khua’s “nicest” accommodation since it is the most hotel-like place in the town with a big building, a big lobby and big hallways. Rooms are fine but vastly overpriced and are not good value.

Rooms are glorified guesthouse rooms, while the extras come in the form of flatscreen TV, a vanity, WiFi, high ceilings and air-con, and the air-con is really what is driving up the price. It also has parking should you be driving a vehicle. Otherwise, it is still a wetroom bathroom with electric heated shower and fluorescent lighting, and there’s no view of the river. It’s tidy and comfortable, it’s just that the price is pretty high for what is on offer and maybe that’s why the hotel mostly sits empty.

Comfortable and with air-con. Photo: Cindy Fan

It’s a little baffling why they don’t offer a cheaper non-air-con option but the person who showed us the room was unfriendly and all signs point to this place being uncompromising. We were told that Sernnali is Lao owned but big lions flank the entrance, something you see in Vietnam or China so perhaps this is their target market and don’t care so much for the backpacker business.

The more expensive rooms at Chaleunsouk Guesthouse feel brighter, are comfortable and well appointed and they have a communal balcony with a view to the river. And these are half the price of Sernnali. The reason you’d stay here is if you need air-con or if by some chance, Chaleunsouk is full.

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